Kimanzi Constable's Blog, page 31

The Stop Chasing Influencers Launch Team

There is an audio version below.

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A year ago, Jared Easley and I were talking about what it takes to build an online business today. There are over one billion websites, over 300,00 podcasts, and millions of YouTubers. There’s a lot of competition and even more misleading information.

We talked about the frustrations that come from the commonly spouted strategies that we’re taught will make us successful. We talked about how too many of us were taught that the quickest way to build a lifestyle business is to connect with an influencer.

Back in the day, chasing and connecting with an influencer might have made sense. When I sent Michael Hyatt a guest post in 2012, he responded personally. That would not happen today. We then talked about what it takes to build an online business today—I mean the exact strategies that work. 

Stop Chasing Influencers: The True Path to Building Your Business and Living Your Dream was born.

We spent months co-writing a book and then pitched it to my publisher. We were delighted when Sound Wisdom Books agreed to publish it, and get behind the message.

The first half of the book lays out why you shouldn’t chase anyone (influencer or not) and how it’s taking time away from what will help you. The second half of the book is filled with how-to strategies you can use to build a lifestyle business on your own. We lay things out very specifically.

This isn’t a book that takes a shot at anyone or tells you not to have heroes. The message is: Don’t chase because you can use that time to build, and here’s what will help. Once you build, you can connect with a hero as a peer–it’s a different dynamic.

Why We’re Here Today

The book officially launches in January. We’re looking to form a launch team for two purposes: 1. To help us get the word out about a Kickstarter campaign we’re launching next month for the book. 2. To help us officially launch the book in January.

We’re not letting just anyone join the team. We’re looking for people who believe in this message and want to help us spread it far and wide. Below you’ll see an application to join the team. We’ll choose 100 people who are willing to help, and we’ll make it worth their while.

What You’ll Get

A digital copy of the book to read and absorb.
Access to our private Facebook group to mastermind after you’ve read the book.
Access to a Q&A that we will be giving to people who buy the book during launch week. You’ll get your questions answered.

What We’re Asking For

Buy a copy of the book through the Kickstarter campaign. The lowest level of the campaign will be the physical version of the book. We ask that you be willing to spend $10 or $15 bucks to help support the book.
Promote the Kickstarter campaign during the month of November.
Read the book.
Write a review of the book on Amazon, and Barnes and Noble when the book drops in January.
Promote the book through your blog, podcast, or YouTube channel during launch week.
Get behind this book. I have been on a lot of launch teams where everyone started out hot, but the enthusiasm faded close to the launch. That’s NOT what we’re looking for. We want people who get the message and want to support it.

That’s it. If you are interested in helping, please fill out the application below. We will notify the team one week from today (On November 3rd). You’ll have to jump into the Kickstarter right away. For those who get behind this book, we will repay you with training that will help you build your lifestyle business in 2016.

Thank you so much for being in Jared and my life, and the support you have already shown. If you help us, we will help you. We won’t hold anything back as we attempt to make this a New York Times best-selling book!

Application:

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Audio version:

The One Lesson Traveling the World Taught Me Chasing Dreams

There is an audio version below. 

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I was asked to attend a popular conference that happened this past weekend. I was told that if I wrote about the conference in some of the publications I write for, I could get in for free. I asked them about the opportunity to speak but was told all the slots were filled. I chose not to attend.

Saying No to that “opportunity” opened the door for me to speak in Madrid and Morocco instead. And, I got paid to speak–not to mention the $80,000 speaking contract Madrid and Morocco led to.

I didn’t feel good about how I was approached and felt relieved when I said NO. I’ve had several conferences like that in the past. They didn’t understand my worth.

Understanding Your Worth

Any opportunity to speak is fun and exciting, but don’t feel like you have to settle for only free events just because a conference may not understand what you bring to the table. It’s not their job to know, it’s YOUR job to understand that you’re worth more.

This isn’t to say that you should never speak for free. What I am saying is that if you do, have a clear purpose that aligns with a specific goal. Don’t listen to the voices that say you need to speak for free X number of times before you can get paid. Don’t accept less than you know you deserve. Don’t be afraid of going after the bigger opportunities.

The one lesson I’ve learned, and seen in a clearer way during this trip to Spain/Morocco, is to never settle and go after what you know you deserve. Don’t let your circumstances or negatives voices convince you that you can’t go after the bigger opportunities.

We’re quickly coming to the end of 2015. This was a year of realizations and growth for me. I did things that I would have never dreamed were possible. I know most reading this have witnessed what happened.

My hope is that you don’t just see what I post and think “good for him.” I hope, that, through my example, you see what can be possible for you, too.

If you take anything away from my content this year, take away that you can and should go bigger in 2016. The New Year brings new hope and another opportunity to accomplish major goals—including quitting a work situation you hate.

You know how important mindset is, so start there. Having a healthy mindset is how you begin to see what’s possible. Then, it’s time to create a plan. Right now, you should be planning the New Year.

I’m writing this post on a flight from Amsterdam to Los Angeles. I’m sitting in the Upper Deck of First Class on a KLM flight. The company that hired me to speak paid for what I’m guessing is an expensive seat. The crazy thing is Christian Bale (the actor famous for playing Batman in the Dark Knight series) is sitting right next to me. NO JOKE!

I’m soaking it all in, but I’m also working. I just got done planning all my content and promotions for 2016. I just laid out a roadmap for my business to hit multiple six-figures next year. I’m not resting on the contract I just signed—I’m taking the necessary steps to grow.

It Has to be YOU  

I can tell you this until I’m blue in the face, but you have to get it. YOU are the one that has to take action. You are the one who has to put in the work. You are the one who has to focus on what will help YOU and the kind of life you want to live.

I can help guide you. Whoever your heroes are online can help guide you, but you have to be the one that does the work. There’s no secret strategy or mystery that leads to success. This has to be your focused efforts.

Audio version:

What are you going to do differently in 2016?

Want to Build a Lifestyle Business in 2016? Stop Signing Up for Webinars

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The first thing that I do when I wake up in the morning is to check my email. I know some people avoid their phones and email in the morning, but I’m not one of those people. I want to know what’s going on, and use part of that information to plan my day.

Lately, I’m noticing a trend. There are at least a few emails about a webinar someone is putting on. The copy does what it’s supposed to do; it makes you want to sign up. In my mind, I know this person wants to sell me something, but a part of me wonders if I could just take in the free training, and ignore the sale.

I’m guessing you’ve attended at least a few webinars in your time. Some were probably terrible, but you did learn a thing or two from others. The main problem with webinars today is all the hype surrounding them, and the fact that most will contribute to your information overload. Now, I want it to be clear that this post isn’t meant to bash webinars, per say. It is written to make you think long and hard before you sign up for one because of who’s hosting it, or what they’re advertising.

You Already Have the Knowledge

Webinar opt-in forms, Facebook ads, and three video series all make webinars sound like they’re the missing piece to reaching the next step in your lifestyle business—they’re not. They can be, but only if the information helps your next steps.

Most of the information that you’ll learn in a webinar is already available online. It’s probably even available on that person’s website. You already have access to knowledge, so by taking the time to watch the webinar, what are you taking time away from? 

Most Webinars are Deigned Give You Just Enough  

There are some webinars that are simply free information; I host a few of those from time-to-time. Most have the goal of selling a program or service. They may not do it on the actual webinar, but once you get on the list, you will probably be sold to at some point. The copy is good; the info on the webinar gives you just enough information for you to want to pay for more. But, do you need to spend more money?

What’s more, a lot of webinars—especially from the bigger names—are promoted by a lot of the same people. You’ve seen it, right? You see the same person’s webinar promoted on a lot of the email lists you are subscribed to. Remember what their goal is and ask yourself how that fits with YOUR goals. 

Use Webinars When it Makes Sense for YOU  

There will come a time when a webinar will make sense for you. It will come down to where you are in your building efforts, who’s hosting the webinar, and what your goals are from attending. Like anything, having a clear plan is how you’ll make the most progress.

Just because webinars or any other strategy worked for someone else, doesn’t mean they will work for you. You have to filter all the marketing speak and see what’s right for your business and life—right now. Chances are, the information is already available on that person’s website. Consume it there and save yourself some precious time.

If 2016 is going to be the year you break free and grow, you’re going to need to have a plan and focus. You’re going to need a strong will that allows you to bypass the things most people will tell you that you “need to do.” This has to be your journey and information overload through webinars is threatening that.

Please don’t misunderstand this post. I’m not saying all webinars are bad or that you should never attend one or host your own. What I am saying is that you have to manage your time wisely and get honest about whether or not the webinar will help your next steps. If you miss it this time around, that’s okay. A lot of these webinars repeat several times throughout the year.

What has been your experience with webinars?

 

What’s Stopping You From BLOWING UP in 2016?

There is an audio (recorded in Morocco) version below.

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I’m writing these words from a raid in Marrakech, Morocco. I spoke in Spain last week and will have spoken here by the time you read this. In the next year, I will travel to seven countries all over the world as a part of a $100,000 plus expenses contract. Think about that for a minute.

I don’t tell you to this brag, but to demonstrate what’s possible for anyone reading this. I was a bread delivery driver from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who had NO dreams. My daily ritual was survival and vegging out in front of the TV. In 2011, life smacked me on my head, and I finally admitted the truth to myself.

It took four years of working harder than I thought I was capable of. It took another year of figuring out that getting mainstream exposure in large publications is what would skyrocket my business. It took getting over new fears that the “other shoe’ would drop, and I would be back on the bread truck.

I’ve accepted that my life is to travel the world, write books, consult companies and coach amazing dreamers. I’ve gotten rid of the “bread man” syndrome and embraced this new life that feels surreal to live. I’m happy and want dreamers to feel the way I do right now.

Start Today

I don’t know what’s happened in your past. I don’t know what you’re going through right now. Life is hard and throws a lot at us at times. There are even circumstances that are out of our control. All I know is—no matter what—you have a choice to make.

Right now is a good time to start thinking about 2016 and what your major goals will be. Today is the perfect time to plan out a year of action that leads to you taking the next step in your life and dream. If you wait until January to start planning, you’re starting the year behind.

Writing a Book

I always want to leave you with something practical. So today, I’m talking to all you writers. As I’m finishing up my fourth book, I had a realization this time around: Writing a book is HARD work! This time around was smoother, and I can directly trace that to the articles I write week in and week out for large publications.

The editors at these pubs give you invaluable feedback that helps you become a better writer. Learning how to structure your thoughts into an article helps you become a better writer. Consistently writing, and about different subjects helps you become a better writer. All of this helps you tremendously when you sit down to tackle a book. It has certainly helped me.

Before Malcolm Gladwell wrote his first book, he wrote 12 articles/50,000 words a month for The New Yorker for years. A 4,000-word article he wrote titled, “The Tipping Point,” led to a seven-figure advance from a publisher. Writers, getting your writing out there in different publications and do it consistently–it’s worth your time.

Blow Up in 2016

It’s time to stop playing small. It’s time to make 2016 the year you accomplish things that you didn’t think were possible. I’m going to spend the year giving you practical and fluff-free advice you can use to build a lifestyle business. So, stick around and I’ll do what I can to help.

Audio version:

What are three major goals you’re setting for 2016?

What I Learned From My $80,000 Lunch in Spain

There is an audio (recorded in Spain) below.

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If you are friends with me on Facebook, you’ve followed my journey from Maui to Madrid, Spain. I have to say, it’s been a trip of surprises that led to an $80,000 opportunity.

First, the company that hired me to speak was generous and booked me in Business Class the whole way here. The seats in Business Class on an international flight are insane. It was the first time I slept on an airplane.

Second, I had a seven-hour layover in Seattle, Washington and Amsterdam. In Seattle, I got to hang out with my friends Jody Maberry and Cathryn Hall Virzi—it was SUPER fun. I even got the chance to catch a fish at Pike Place Fish Market. In Amsterdam, I got to see some of my favorite sights.

When I finally got to Madrid, I was a little wore down. I came here with three main goals: 1. Speak at the company’s offices in Madrid and Marrakech. 2. Finish my fourth book, The 7 Choices You’ll Regret at the End of Your Life, and turn it into my publisher. 3. Talk to the CEO about speaking at the company’s other offices.

I had a lunch scheduled with the CEO, and I went into it super nervous. This is the CEO of a $5-billion a year company. At lunch, he was way ahead of me. He came to the lunch with an $80,000 plus expenses contract to speak at the company’s other six offices all over the world. I had to pinch myself because I just couldn’t believe it.

Over the next year, I’ll be travelling to train/speak at the company’s offices in Ireland, Germany, England, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Australia. To be honest, I don’t think I’ve process these last two months. And when I think about everything that’s happened, I get scared. The money, the opportunity, the travel—it’s a lot to process. Remember, I was a bread guy for 12 years, this life still feels surreal.

I’ve learned so much this trip. Mainly, DREAM BIGGER! I’m serious. I limited what I believed, and I’m guessing you are, too. When you’re struggling or not making much money with your dream, you lose faith or compromise what you believe is possible. I’m here to tell you that yes, it will take time. YES, it’s super hard, but you better believe it’s possible.

A lot of you have asked me about how you can do this, too. Here’s a snapshot of how to get your consulting gigs.

How to Book Paid Consulting

At its core, booking paid consulting is about finding a need at a company that you can fix for a price. It’s better to start local; chances are you know someone or some company that has a problem you can fix. What you’re looking for is a company where you can talk to the owner or president. You can’t go after huge corporations—you won’t get through.

Once you have identified a company or three, call and try to set up an appointment with that owner/president. Tell them you just want 20 minutes of their time and you will show them where they are missing money. Convince them that this will benefit his or her company.

Once you have the meeting, your job is to research. Find out how the problem is costing the company money. Talk to people at the company, research online, and come to the meeting with some hard numbers—not fluff.

When you have the meeting, present the owner/president with what the problem is, how it costs them money, and why/how you can help fix it. Tell him or her you’d like a trial run at X price (do your research, but you should be making at least $250 an hour). The trail run with a solid presentation helps seal the deal.

Yes, this is the cliff notes version, and there are a lot of moving parts, but I wanted you to give you something to experiment with. I want to see someone read this and go out there and pitch a company. I want to get that email from you saying you signed a consulting contract.

Remember, what you think affects what you do. If you believe this is all hogwash or not possible, you won’t do anything, and nothing will happen. If you believe the opportunity is out there, try this out. All the company can do is say no. That’s it.

I hope this helps, but more than anything, I hope 2016 is the year you break barriers. I hope 2016 is the year you build your dream to the point where it supports your family. When you do, I’m going to be your biggest fan and cheerleader.

Audio version:

What have you got planned for 2016?

 

Building a Lifestyle Business

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Last week, I hosted a free training on how to build a lifestyle business. I walked through it step-by-step through a screen share. There are many who read my blog who missed it. I wanted to share it here. The training is an hour and there is 30-minutes of Q&A.

I hope this training can help you reach some of your goals in 2016. This is a sample of what I will be teaching in Exposure Through Online Business.

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Greetings from Spain! The company that hired me to speak booked me in First Class. The seats blew my mind–I’ve never experienced First Class on an International flight. Getting paid to speak and get the BIGGER bucks is part of what I’m teaching in Exposure Through Large Publications. I will also be teaching how you can negotiate these perks

How are your building efforts going?

Travel the World and Get Paid to Do It

There is an audio version below.

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As you read this, I’m about to board a flight from Maui, Hawaii to Madrid, Spain. I’m speaking at an event in Madrid, and then flying to Marrakech, Morocco to speak at another event. The company paid me a $10,000 speaking fee and covered all of my expenses.

If you had told me this would be my life four years ago, I would have laughed at you. I delivered bread and never touched computers. I had done some traveling while I was younger but hadn’t as an adult because I couldn’t afford it.

It took 12 years of existing, and four years of work hard to arrive at a day like today. It took overcoming so many obstacles, which included people that I loved. As I board the flight, I’m smiling as I think about the implications of this trip.

Changing Your View of Reality

The one message that I took away from September is THINK BIGGER! It was a surreal month. I signed $50,000 in speaking contracts for four international conferences. I signed a four-figure a month consulting contract with a company in Milwaukee, and the CEO hired me for some personal coaching. I got my first paid writing gig. And, I started working with 16 new coaching clients.

I had some cool wins, but what my clients did excites me the most. Three of my clients signed a total of $165,000 in consulting contracts. Four booked paid speaking gigs, three of the events being international. 14 clients were published in 8 different publications for the first time. They took massive action and reaped the rewards.

I’ve been hitting on this message the last few months, and I see dreamers every day getting ahold of it. We have so much knowledge and so many skills that translate beyond the “online space.” You can take what you learn here, and book mainstream opportunities. Instead of being “Internet Famous” (Thanks, Berni), you could book the bigger deals and travel the world spreading a message you’re passionate about.

The opportunity is there; September proved that to me. No, it’s not easy. You can’t just publish two articles and then BOOM. It takes a ton of work. I’ve been publishing articles on publications for a year now and have over 350 published. If you’re willing to put in the work, you will reap the rewards. I just want you to see that there are more opportunities available when you think bigger

Your 2016

Now is the time for you to start thinking about, and planning your 2016. Now is the time to get honest about what you want for your life and how you’re going to go after it in 2016. Get a vision for your dream life. Feel it and see yourself living it. Create a vision board. I want to see you win in 2016. I want to celebrate with you.

How to Book Paid Speaking (Short Version)

To become an international speaker, you need a few things. 1. A little experience speaking. Start at your local Chamber of Commerce. You may speak for free, but it’s to business owners–you could walk away with business. Get video of you speaking and testimonials. 2. Find international events that pay. Use Google or a site like Lanyrd.com. 3. Hustle. This one is obvious. 4. The ability to present. Practice, watch TED talks, read books, get experience. 5. The right tools (pictured here). Here’s to you and a full year of speaking in 2016!

Audio version:

What are some of your major goals for 2016?

Nothing is Stopping You, Live Your Dream Life

There is an audio version below.

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It’s amazing what we can accomplish today that wasn’t available to us in the past. In 2011, I wrote a book. Back in the day, the process would have been me finding an agent—which is incredibly difficult. Then, the agent would try to sell the book to publishers. This process could have, and does take years. Instead of going through all of that, I self-published my book.

Self-publishing, social media, and Internet business are just a few of the fantastic opportunities that can help us live out our dreams. We have the tools. We have the knowledge. We have what we need if we’re willing to take the necessary action and work hard. Yes, there’s a ton in between that needs to be done, but we have what we need to live our dream life.

Your Mindset

Your thoughts affect your actions. If you don’t believe in yourself or what’s possible, you won’t take action. You’ll keep listening to your self-limiting beliefs and excuses. You will convince yourself that living a good enough life is what you deserve. It’s NOT.

You may have experienced failure in the past. You may have hit a roadblock. Wherever you’re at in the journey, get your mind right. Start to dream again. Get a vision for the kind of life you could be living. Feel it. See it. Smell it. Then, do whatever it takes to stay strong in your mind.

Your Plan

Living your dream starts in your mind, but you need an actionable plan. In this world—the lifestyle business space—that plan involves building website traffic, email subscribers, and creating products and services people buy. It means speaking and consulting at companies. Your plan involves how you’re going to accomplish all of these things and in what order.

This is where dreamer’s head down the wrong road. There are many bright shiny objects that seem like they’ll lead to your goal. The craze over Periscope and Blab come to mind. Many people are told they should be on them, but not many have a clear plan to convert the efforts that are being made.

Now is a great time to start planning 2016 and how you’re going to make 2016 the year you finally quit your day job. This is the time to create everything you’ll need to build a lifestyle business and life you love. Are you goal setting for next year, yet?

Your Focus  

After you’ve conquered self-limiting beliefs and have created your plan, you need unwavering focus to implement that plan. This means you don’t give into what the “experts” tell you has worked for them. That’s where they’re at, and it won’t necessarily help you.

For most people reading this, you should be working on building your tribe. You should be creating a loyal following that believes and appreciates your message. Focus on connecting with them and serve them. At some point, you will offer something they will buy.

Nothing is stopping you from living your dream life. Everything you need can be learned or accomplished. You know my story. You know I was a bread guy from Wisconsin, who dreamed of more. As you read this, I’m packing. This coming week I’m speaking in Madrid, Spain to speak to 400 people. I will also be taking a little side tour and speaking to 300 people in Marrakech, Morocco. I got paid $10,000, and all my expenses are covered. It took four years, but what once was a dream is now my reality. It can be yours if you do something about it.

Audio version:

Will you give up or will you make 2016 your year?

P.S. SO many of you have asked me how to get exposure through large media publications. You want to know how to get accepted and how you can leverage them to increase your business. I have finally created a course to help you do just that; it’s called, Exposure Through Large Publications.

This class (Yes, it’s a live class) doesn’t start until I get back from speaking in Spain and Morocco in October, but I have opened registration. The class is not cheap, and I wanted to give anyone who’s interested time to plan. Don’t worry; I have packed this class with a ton of value. AND, it’s a live class. Eight people have already purchased Check it out. Email me if you have questions. Get published on large media publications and leverage them. This class can help.

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Photo: Flickr/ Kerri Lee Smith

5 Things I Would Have Done Differently in the Beginning

There is an audio version below.

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Unfortunately, you can’t go back in time and do things differently. And thinking about it, maybe that wouldn’t be a great idea. However, one person’s experience can work in the same way. There are things that I missed when I started the journey to create a life of freedom. I know there are many reading this post that have just started or will start their journey. I hope this post helps you avoid the pitfalls I and many others have gone through.

The early days of my dream-chasing journey were filled with wasted time and money. I spent most days not knowing what to do or doing what I saw working for someone else. I wanted this dream to be my reality so badly, so I spent a lot of time chasing my tail. I would see a bright shiny object and hope it would be the thing that brought me income. Here are five things I would have done differently.

I would have focused on building my audience. In the beginning, I was sold on the hype about social media. I did everything I could to build my social media presence but ignored building an email list—big mistake. It took six months to understand that things like social media, Periscope, and Blab are not the best way to build an audience. Those are rented platforms that belong to those companies. Your email list is the people who are interested in what you have to offer and are far more likely to buy from you. Think about the phycology behind who’s mostly likely to buy: The person who sees you mention stuff here and there on social media (the organic reach is limited)? Or, the person who reads your emails, and blog posts? When I focused on building my email list, I had someone to talk to, and a few of those people bought my stuff. Today, 90% of my sales come from my email list. Focus on building your email list-–social media is not enough or the best way to build an audience that can support you.


I would have stop chasing influencers. Just like most dreamers reading this, I had heard the stories—of a person like me—who had noticed something an A-Lister missed, and they helped them. The A-Lister was so grateful they gave the person a shout out. It’s kind of like a Cinderella story if you think about it. The problem with chasing influencers today is that they’re pretty untouchable. Many of them get hundreds of email a day from people who are trying to connect with them as well. Your email or private Facebook message gets lumped in with the rest. My editor at Entrepreneur Magazine made an excellent observation about this. He said when you feel like somebody is trying to connect with you because they want something; you’re kind of repelled. Think about people who want something from you. Think about the old school telemarketer calls or door-to-door salesperson. How did you feel when they tried to sell you? In a way, that’s what’s happening when you’re trying to connect with an influencer. More than that, it’s taking the time you could be using to build your business on your own. It’s a much different dynamic if you build a thriving dream and then connect with an influencer as a friend—not a follower.


I would have waited to spend money. I thought the key to making progress was hiring a coach or taking courses from the big names. I acknowledge I may have found the wrong people, but all I got was surface level content that was designed to upsell me on another more expensive course. There always seemed to be a better version for more money. I spent over $5,000 when the reality was I just needed to build my audience first. I hadn’t done all the work I could have done on my own, first. If I had built an audience and created the offerings, then hiring a coach or taking a course would have made sense. Don’t spend money—not even with me—unless you’re in a place to benefit from the training.


I would have gone after bigger opportunities. For as long as I’ve been doing this, I have thought too small. It wasn’t until this year that I have seen the opportunities far beyond the online space. I have booked several five-figure speaking gigs in other countries, I have book four-figure-a-month consulting contracts, and I’ve had five-figure weeks. We tend to focus on what we know. Realize there’s a whole wide world that extends beyond the same pond everyone in this online space is swimming in. 


I would have taken my business seriously. As the months went on, and the income didn’t come, I viewed what I was doing as more of a hobby. I wish I had treated this as a business and made business decisions right away. I would have been more focused with my time, and I would have charged instead of coaching 127 hours for free. Even if it were $10, at least the people would have had skin in the game, and I would have been making some money like businesses do. I would have thought long and hard about what relationships made sense to my business.

I hope some of the lessons I’ve learned can help you if you haven’t reached your goal of freedom. I’ve been spending some time thinking about what “Lifestyle entrepreneurship” means. At first, I was convinced it’s where those scammy Facebook ads live. But now, I see what it means. Lifestyle business means you create a business around the kind of life you want to live.

It means that you have the freedom and flexibility to live life on your terms while still generating income. It’s not just your life or business; it’s both morphed into what you wake up each day excited to do. To get there, you need to build an audience, create things to sell to that audience, and keep growing. At its base, that’s what this is. There are many moving parts, but they often confuse the bottom line. Don’t get distracted; make your dreams your reality. Keep going.

Audio version: 

What dream are you working on making your reality?

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Photo: Flickr/ Tom Waterhouse

 

5 Beliefs That Help You Live a Life They Didn’t Think Was Possible

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If you want to get angry or depressed, turn on cable news. I don’t have cable, but I was on a business trip recently and turned on some cable news in the hotel—it was scary and upsetting. You hear bad news on top of predictions of the destruction of our rights, society, and blah, blah, blah. Don’t get me wrong, society and life are in a tough place, but there is more to life than what is being portrayed.

From an early age, we’re taught to color between the lines and exist within our comfort zone. We were sold this idea of the “American Dream,” but once you get old enough, you realize that life is a myth. When guys try to follow a path they haven’t chosen, failure and stress develop convincing us to get back in line.

Living a “great life” will take on a different meaning for every man. I think one thing all men long for is freedom. The ability to spend each of our days on the things that are important to us is a dream. The freedom to control our schedule without worrying about the typical life stressors is priceless.

Believe it or not, there are guys who wake up every day living a life they didn’t believe was possible. I’m one of those guys. I wake up every day experiencing true freedom after spending four years building my dream life. This kind of life is attainable for you. Here are five beliefs that can help you start this journey to freedom.

I’m strong enough to overcome failure. The journey to create a better life is paved with failure. Life doesn’t work out the way we want it to, and failure is an important part of success—it just sucks to go through it. If you realize and accept that failure is going to happen, you can prepare for how you will react and that will help you overcome it. You can choose to be strong enough to rise above whatever unexpected circumstances are thrown at you.


I’m brave enough to reach out for support. I wouldn’t be living my dream life today if it weren’t for the support I had through my friends. There were more days than I can count when I wanted to give up—they helped me through. Sometimes it’s not seen as “manly” to admit you need help and support, but who cares what other people think. A good support system is honest, firm, and encouraging. Good friends don’t sugarcoat it, but they are there when you need them. They can help you live your dream life. 


I won’t let anything or anyone convince me to settle. Life has so much to offer. You may not have the finances to travel the world, but there are attainable goals and dreams in your life. Don’t let anything convince to settle because life is too short. Other people will project the things that terrify them and use their fear to try to convince you. When they tell you it’s not possible, just smile knowing you’re going for it anyway. 


I won’t be afraid to step outside of my comfort zone. Your comfort zone exists to guide you but it doesn’t have to stop you from going after bigger opportunities. If you’re going to live your dream life, you’re going to continually step outside of your comfort zone. Don’t let doubt or fear keep you from taking the necessary steps to achieve what success means to you.


I will live each day as if it were the last. Life is short and time is precious. How we live each day is important because it might be our last. Living your dream life starts with vowing to make each day matter. You won’t live life every day this way—that’s not realistic—but you can do the best you can. Living your dream life is going to require you making the most out of the time you have. 

I realize an article like this might seem kind of woo, woo, but it doesn’t have to be. You can experience true freedom in your life and live life on your terms. It starts with beliefs because what you believe affects the actions you take. If you believe this is all a fairytale, you won’t act and you’ll stay stuck. Once I changed my beliefs, I was able to radically change my life.

It takes time—sometimes what feels like too much time. It takes perseverance and a good plan that’s been researched. The cool thing about today is the access we have to information through the Internet. If you start today, you’re one more day closer to living a life most men won’t even take the first step towards. This is YOUR life—you only get one of them. Make it count.

What do you believe about your dreams and what’s possible?

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Photo: Flickr/ chiaralily

This article originally appeared on The Good Men Project.